It is certainly the game of the season. Manchester City will host Manchester United on Sunday, December 9th at 13:30 at the Etihad Stadium. United is top of the table with 3 points ahead of City.
City hasn’t lost a game this season, but played a poor Champions League campaign. Manchester United, on the other side, qualified for the next round after just 4 Champions League games. Both teams enter the derby on Sunday after a 1:0 defeat during the week. United lost on Wednesday against Galatasaray and City lost against Borussia Dortmund. The last time both teams met in the Premier League, City beat United 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium and secured the Premier League title 6 games later.
However, Ferguson, has major injury issues with Anderson, Valencia, Nani, Kagawa and Cleverley all being injured for the 163rd Manchester derby. United also showed major defensive weaknesses over the last weeks conceding 32 goals in all competitions this season. City will miss Clichy and David Silva. However, Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko are on-board and United has major respect for them. Ferguson said: “It’s a concern, there’s no question about that. When you see City have Balotelli, Dzeko – all really tall players – it’s going to be a big challenge.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, however, compared City to United’s little brother. He said: “That always happens in families and in clubs – the young player hoping to take the old player’s position – and City are hoping to overtake United. I don’t think they’ll ever be able to.”
It certainly will be a great game on Sunday and United has to prove that they can still beat Manchester City. Ferguson said: “Derby games are notorious for surprises. City haven’t lost for two years in it. It’s going to be a hard game for us but we are capable of beating anyone.”
